Healthcare District Board votes to conduct interviews to fill newly vacant seat in early January

The Desert Healthcare District & Foundation Board expects to welcome a new member in early 2026 following the recent resignation of Director Arthur Shorr (pictured). 

In a letter dated Nov. 18, Mr. Shorr announced his resignation effective on Nov. 30. The Board has 60 days -- until Jan. 29, 2026 -- to appoint or call a special election to fill the vacant seat.

Directors voted at their monthly meeting Tuesday, Nov. 25, in support of the appointee option. They will have a special public Board meeting at 4 p.m. Jan. 8 to conduct interviews and appoint a new Director. The meeting will take place at the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation offices at 1140 N. Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.

Like Mr. Shorr, the new Director must be a resident of the Healthcare District's zone five, according to California Health & Safety Code Section 32100. (Please refer to our interactive Hummingbird Map to see zone five's boundaries or call Riverside County Registrar of Voters at 951.486.7200 to determine if you reside within zone 5.)

Interested residents will have until 5 p.m. Jan. 5 to submit a cover letter and résumé to Desert Healthcare District & Foundation CEO Chris Christensen to be considered for the Board seat. Applications may be submitted by email to info@dhcd.org.

The new Board Director who is appointed in January will serve about 10 months. On Nov. 3, 2026 (Election Day), the appointee or someone else who decides to run will be elected to serve the remaining two years of Mr. Shorr's four-year term. When the full term is completed in November 2028, a regular election will be held to fill the Board seat for a standard four-year term. Please read the Notice of Vacancy for full details.

Mr. Shorr first joined the Board as an appointee in May 2019, replacing Director Jennifer Wortham who resigned. Coachella Valley voters then elected him to serve in 2020 and again in 2024.

"Serving alongside a dedicated staff and elected representatives has been both an honor and privilege," Mr. Shorr said in his resignation letter. "The level of commitment and dedication to the ideal of maximizing the quality of life has been the guiding light that has manifested itself in a wide variety of positive impacts supported by district funding."

Mr. Shorr's many contributions to the Board, including terms as Board treasurer, were buoyed by 40+ years of professional experience in the healthcare industry. Shorr served in executive management positions in acute care teaching hospitals, founded and managed an international healthcare consulting firm, and served on hospital governing boards.

"Director Shorr will be missed," CEO Chris Christensen said. "The District benefited tremendously from the business acumen, pragmatic outlook, and humor he brought to the Board and committees during six years of service. We wish him all the best in his next endeavor."

 About the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation

 The Desert Healthcare District is a local government agency formed in 1948. Its mission is to achieve optimal health at all stages of life for all District residents. The District includes more than 400,000 residents and encompasses the entire Coachella Valley. The District and Desert Healthcare Foundation, together, are one of the largest funders in the valley. These funds are used to assist residents — especially the underserved — in accessing vitally needed resources, such as primary and behavioral healthcare. Learn more.